# NTSB ANC05CA113: Piper PA-18-150, N120CS, Wasilla, AK, July 31, 2005

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 31, 2005, 11:54 local (19:54 UTC)
- Place: Wasilla, AK
- Coordinates: 61.587501, -149.360275
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.5875&lon=-149.3603&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 20, 2005
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 62118
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC05CA113
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62118/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC05CA113

## Probable cause

The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for taxi, which resulted in the airplane encountering a ditch, and the collapse of the main landing gear.  A factor associated with the accident was the ditch.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, taxi - to takeoff
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
- Gear collapsed, taxi - to takeoff

## Analysis

During taxi for takeoff on a private gravel airstrip, the private pilot reported he taxied too close to the edge of the taxiway, and the edge of the taxiway collapsed.  He stated he thought he was in a hole or rut, and he applied power.  The airplane subsequently encountered a ditch, and the left main landing gear collapsed.  The left wing of the airplane received substantial damage.

## Factual narrative

On July 31, 2005, about 1154 Alaska daylight time, a Piper PA-18-150 airplane, N120CS, sustained substantial damage when the taxiway edge collapsed during taxi for takeoff on a private gravel airstrip, about 3 miles east of Wasilla, Alaska.  The airplane was being operated by the pilot as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal local flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred.  The solo private pilot was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed.

During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on August 2, the pilot said he was taxiing for takeoff, and taxied too close to the edge of the taxi area, and the edge of the taxiway gave way.  He said he originally thought the left main wheel was in a hole or rut, and when he applied power, the wheel encountered a ditch, and the left main landing gear collapsed.  The airplane received substantial damage to the left wing.  The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N120CS (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-18-150
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-7709077
- Engines: Lycoming O-320 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William Barry
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: Wasilla, AK
- Destination: Wasilla, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 160 total, 15 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20050731017289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050731017289A), Jul 31, 2005: Piper PA18150, Wasilla, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) The following written statement was provided by the airman. After landing on a road, and during an uphill taxi, the ground gave way under the left side…

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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